Joe Arpaio, the controversial ex-Arizona sheriff who was pardoned after being found guilty for criminal contempt last year, announced Tuesday he is running for Senate.

"I am running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Arizona, for one unwavering reason: to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump in his mission to Make America Great Again," he tweeted.

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The 85-year-old former sheriff of Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and surrounding areas, will make a tight affair out of the Republican primary race for retiring GOP Sen. Jeff Flake's seat. State Sen. Kelli Ward and U.S. Sen. Martha McSally are also running to be the GOP nominee in a state that narrowly went for Trump in 2016.

“I have a lot to offer. I’m a big supporter of President Trump,” Arpaio told the Washington Examiner in an interview. “I’m going to have to work hard; you don’t take anything for granted. But I would not being doing this if I thought that I could not win. I’m not here to get my name in the paper, I get that everyday, anyway.”

I am running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Arizona, for one unwavering reason: to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump in his mission to Make America Great Again. https://t.co/ANppBdDOtp

Arpaio was found guilty last summer of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal court order in a racial-profiling case. The 2011 order barred Maricopa deputies from detaining individuals based on their immigration status – a practice endorsed by Arpaio. He faced up to a year in prison, but President Donald Trump pardoned him in a decision that drew scorn from Democrats.

He told the Examiner he doesn't believe his age is a concern or his divisive tenure as sheriff.

“Being a U.S. senator is a little different than being the sheriff, because you can do a lot of things in the U.S. Senate, and I have many plans, believe me," said Arpaio, who is the son of Italian immigrants and said he has a "soft spot" for the Mexican community in Arizona.

"It’s tough. It’s a tough decision. But, if you’re going to come across that border, you should be arrested and get the consequences of it."